Washington Black Is Here: Release Date, Plot, Cast & Characters

Epic adventure meets heart in this sweeping new historical TV show.

George Washington “Wash” Black’s story comes to life in an all-new Hulu limited TV show that blends high-stakes escapades with intimate emotional drama. Expect breathtaking locales, high-stakes adventure, and a fresh perspective on history. With Emmy® winner Sterling K. Brown on board, rising talent Ernest Kingsley Jr. in the title role, and Rupert Graves and Tom Ellis rounding out the cast, Washington Black is one journey you’ll want on your Watchlist.

Washington Black Release Date

The series premiered July 23, 2025, with all episodes available on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ at the same time.*

Inspired by the bestselling novel, the eight-episode series follows eleven-year-old Washington Black (played by Ernest Kingsley Jr.) after a shocking incident forces him to flee a Barbados sugar plantation. Guided by his prodigious scientific mind, Wash embarks on a globe-trotting adventure that challenges everything he knows about family, freedom, and love. Executive producer Sterling K. Brown, who also stars as “Medwin,” along with Tom Ellis as “Titch,” play Wash’s mentors who help guide him along the way.

What is Washington Black about?

Washington Black charts Wash’s escape from enslavement into an odyssey that spans continents, science, and self-discovery. As he encounters inventors, allies, and formidable obstacles, Wash learns to imagine a future beyond the limits society sets for him.

Who’s in the cast of Washington Black?

The series stars Ernest Kingsley Jr. as Washington Black, Rupert Graves as Mr. Goff, Iola Evans as Tanna Goff, Edward Bluemel as William McGee, Sharon Duncan Brewster as Miss Angie, Eddie Karanja as Young Washington Black, Tom Ellis as Titch, and Sterling K. Brown as Medwin.

Is Washington Black based on a novel?

Yes. The show adapts Esi Edugyan’s acclaimed bestseller of the same name, ensuring a literary foundation for its sweeping narrative.

Set your compass and make sure to add Washington Black to your Watchlist now. Beyond every adventure lies fresh horizons — and brand-new stories.

Add Washington Black to Watchlist (login required) or learn more on Hulu.com

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